Body Piercing Facilities: Step by Step Guide

Before you can open a body piercing facility in South Carolina, you must get a business license and zoning approval
from the municipality (city, town or county government) that has jurisdiction over your business location.

You must get also get a permit to operate from DHEC. (If your facility pierces only the ear lobe (pdf) - the lower part of the ear that contains no
cartilage - you are exempt from this requirement.)

Here are the steps you must follow to get a DHEC permit to operate:

Step 1: Review S.C. Regulations (90 Days before opening)

Review a copy of Regulation 61-109, Standards for Permitting Body Piercing Facilities on this website OR
order a printed copy of the regulation for a $10 fee.(Payment must be by personal check or money order to DHEC; no
cash or credit cards can be accepted.)

Step 2: Get Your Staff Trained, Certified (60-90 days before opening)

To comply with Section 103.E of Regulation 61-109, ensure that all your technicians:

Comply with all federal Office of Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
requirements/guidelines

Obtain certificates from DHEC-approved training providers that attest to the successful completion of courses
in:

Bloodborne pathogens

Body piercing infection control as approved by DHEC

American Red Cross First Aid

Adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

See more about state training requirements and view a list of approved training providers in S.C.

Submit the permit application, required documentation and fees listed below at least 30 days prior to your
facility's anticipated/projected opening date and preferably sooner. This will allow DHEC staff adequate time to
carefully review your application and request any additional or amended information that may be required.

Have questions about what to send? Feel free to call us at (803) 545-4370.

Step 4: Schedule Permit Inspection

Once you have submitted all the required documents (including policies and procedures and technician files) and met
all other requirements in the regulation, contact your regional DHEC representative to arrange for a
mutually-agreed-upon date for an initial permitting inspection.

Get tips on preparing for your inspection.

Step 5: Get a Permit; Open for Business

Once we determine that your paperwork and facility are in substantial compliance with Regulation 61-109 and we
inspect your facility, we'll grant you permission to operate and issue you a permit.

You must post your permit in your facility in an area easily seen by your customers.

Note: If you are an owner of a facility/activity currently licensed/permitted by DHEC, the
currently-licensed/permitted facility/activity must be in substantial compliance with applicable regulatory
standards before we can issue a permit for a separate facility/activity.

Step 6: Renew Your Permit Each Year

Permits are effective for a 12-month period following the date of issue.